With the Church we celebrate a second solemnity in the month of March and also during the Lenten season: the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. This is such a pivotal feast in our Catholic faith, and unfortunately it seems overshadowed by all the celebrations for St. Patrick and St. Joseph during March.

God chose the Blessed Virgin Mary, having prepared her without sin to be a worthy vessel for His Son. The angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she shall be the Mother of God. At the moment Mary said her “Fiat,” Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the moment of the Incarnation, when the Word became flesh, when God assumed human nature without changing or losing His divine nature.